There Appears To Be A Clear Favorite For The West Virginia Job

MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 03: The West Virginia Mountaineer mascot interacts with fans in the final moments of the West Virginia Mountaineers 24-21 win over the Baylor Bears at Mountaineer Field on December 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

West Virginia is searching for a new head football coach in the wake of Dana Holgorsen’s impending departure to Houston.

There appears to be a frontrunner for the Mountaineers’ gig already.

Troy head coach Neal Brown is being mentioned by most analysts as the No. 1 candidate for the West Virginia job.

A couple of other big names have been mentioned for the job – former West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez, former Tennessee head coach Butch Jones – but Brown seems to be the favorite.

“If and when Dana Holgorsen officially leaves #WVU I’m hearing athletic director Shane Lyons will act quickly and #Troy’s Neal Brown will be at or near the top of his list. #Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell also could be in the mix. Both would be excellent hires,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg tweeted.

If and when Dana Holgorsen officially leaves #WVU I'm hearing athletic director Shane Lyons will act quickly and #Troy's Neal Brown will be at or near the top of his list. #Cincinnati's Luke Fickell also could be in the mix. Both would be excellent hires.